SEMAFO Plans to Increase Mana's Processing Capacity by 6,000 Tonnes per Day

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 8, 2011) - SEMAFO (TSX:SMF) today announced plans to increase the processing capacity by 6,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") at its Mana property in Burkina Faso. The expansion project is aimed at increasing capacity at the plant to 14,000 tpd, representing as much as an additional 120,000 gold ounces annually and potentially bringing Mana's total production to more than 300,000 ounces per annum.

This phase of expansion is in consideration of the positive drill results received from the Fofina, Fobiri and Yaho zones and is to include the construction of a satellite crushing and milling facility. The new facility, which is currently planned for the Fofina-Fobiri area, will prepare the ore for final processing at the Mana plant. This approach will play an important role in supplying increased ore to the processing plant as well as substantially expedite the overall production process of ore from the southern region in a highly economic manner.

Commenting on the expansion, Benoit Desormeaux, SEMAFO's Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer said, "With the geological results delineating the surrounding area's significant potential, we are capitalizing on the opportunity to ensure that SEMAFO is prepared for the forthcoming increase in ore volume associated with these new zones."

Capital expenditures for the expansion project are estimated at $100-$125 million and will be fully funded through SEMAFO's cash flow. The anticipated payback period is less than one year.

As part of the plant expansion the Corporation also plans to build a water pipeline, for which an engineering analysis is already underway. The year-round accessibility will safeguard adequate water supply levels at the mill at all times and is scheduled for commissioning in the second quarter of 2012.

The expansion is scheduled to begin in early 2012 and is expected to be completed during the second half of 2013.

All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

About SEMAFO

SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Corporation currently operates three gold mines: the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, the Samira Hill Mine in Niger and the Kiniero Mine in Guinea. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest. SEMAFO's strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "plans", "increase", "expansion", "project", "aimed at", "as much as", "additional", "potentially", "will", "forthcoming", "estimated", "anticipated", "payback", "scheduled", "will safeguard", "committed", "evolve", "become", "pursuing", "growth" and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include the ability to increase Mana's processing capacity by 6,000 tpd or 14,000 tpd in bedrock, the ability to produce as much as an additional 120,000 gold ounces annually and potentially bring Mana's total gold production to more than 300,000 ounces per annum, the ability to maintain a capital expenditure of between $100-$125 million, the ability to fund the expansion from SEMAFO's cash flow, the ability to have a payback period of less than one year, the ability to safeguard adequate water supply levels at the mill at all times, the ability to commission the water pipeline in the second quarter of 2012, the ability to commission the plant expansion in early 2012, the ability to execute on our strategic focus, fluctuation in the price of currencies, gold or operating costs, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, delays, political and social stability in Africa (including our ability to maintain or renew licenses and permits) and other risks described in SEMAFO's documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in SEMAFO's 2010 Annual MD&A and 2010 Annual Information Form, as updated in SEMAFO's 2011 First Quarter MD&A and 2011 Second Quarter MD&A, and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. These documents are also available on our website at www.semafo.com. SEMAFO disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.